BIBL 501
Old Testament Foundations
Course Description
This course orients students to the theology, literature, and key issues in the Old Testament. It reflects on questions of how Old Testament books are best read together as part of the Christian canon of Scripture, and their ability to shape Christian life and engagement with culture. After addressing key interpretive issues, the course explores the contents of the Old Testament with a focus on the historical context, literary shape, and theological and ethical dimensions of each book. At the end of the course, students should have a new appreciation for the Old Testament as an integrated but diverse whole, and for its status as a “living and active” word for the Christian journey.Winter 2026
Class time for this course will take place through pre-recorded lectures and interactions on an online discussion board. Both elements are available on the course Moodle page.
Summer 2026
This course will be available onsite and online. Students must register for the online section to gain Zoom access to the course.
Course lectures will be recorded, and students may be captured in course recordings. Access to lecture recordings is normally only given to online students who cannot reasonably be expected to attend the course live due to time zone differences. These students should contact the course instructor for permission to access recordings.
| Offered | 2025 Fall |
| Dates | Sep 8 - Dec 19 |
| Days | Wed, 09:00AM - 12:00PM |
| Format | Onsite Only |
| Credit Hours | 3 |
| Room Number | Chapel |
Teaching Faculty
Matthew Lynch
Bruce K. Waltke Associate Professor of Old Testament
Matthew Lynch holds MATS and ThM degrees from Regent College and a PhD from Emory University. He joined the Regent College faculty in summer 2020. Matthew is the author of several books, including Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God (IVP Academic, 2023). He is also a founder and co-host of the OnScript podcast, where he frequently interviews biblical scholars about their work.